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FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2012, file photo, Arkansas tight end Chris Gragg carries during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Jacksonville State in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas, behind breakout performances from Brandon Mitchell and Gragg, sure didn't look like a team that lost three receivers to the NFL in its season-opening win over Jacksonville State. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File)

Arkansas receivers step up to provide bight spot in offense

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It wasn’t supposed to be this easy to replace three of the top receivers in school history for Arkansas.

Just don’t tell the No. 8 Razorbacks that, not after their receiving corps didn’t miss a beat from last year in a season-opening 49-24 win over Jacksonville State.

Arkansas (1-0) entered this season minus three of its top receivers from last season in Joe Adams, Greg Childs and Jarius Wright. Each were selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft, and it was thought their absence would result in a transition period for an offense that’s led the Southeastern Conference in passing for three straight seasons.

It might be time to scratch that thought, especially after quarterback Tyler Wilson threw for an opening-game school record of 367 yards in the win over the Gamecocks. Wilson connected with a pair of receivers for more than 100 yards in the game, and he nearly had a third reach the mark — all despite the fact his top receiver, Cobi Hamilton, left the game in the first quarter with a head injury.

“It gives you good confidence that there were some other guys step up and make plays,” Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said. “The more studs you’ve got to feed, the better you are. It’s harder for the defense to stop you.”

Hamilton is expected to return this week when the Razorbacks host Louisiana-Monroe in Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium, adding another in Wilson’s growing arsenal of options.

One of those most surprising options is Brandon Mitchell, the former backup quarterback turned receiver. Mitchell, who battled Wilson for the starting quarterback job prior to last season, made the move to receiver in the summer with hopes of seeing more playing time.

The junior performed well throughout preseason camp, and the move paid off when he was rewarded with his first start since 2008 — his senior season of high school in Louisiana.

Despite the preseason success, Mitchell surprised even himself with his four catches for 122 yards against Jacksonville State. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Mitchell had been used on primarily safe, underneath routes during the preseason, but he had three catches of more than 30 yards against the Gamecocks — including a 34-yard catch in the second quarter that set up Ronnie Wingo’s 3-yard touchdown run.

“I think we’ve seen that day-in, day-out at practice this fall,” Arkansas coach John L. Smith said. “It was not a surprise to us, but it may come as a little bit of a surprise and I’m sure it did to some of the fans.

“... He’s more athletic than people think. Those big long legs are chewing up a lot of ground.”

Mitchell’s performance was matched in its surprise by that of junior Javontee Herndon, who entered the season with 10 career catches for 169 yards. Herndon was forced into action following Hamilton’s injury and responded with four catches for 96 yards — including his first career touchdown, a 63-yarder from Wilson in the third quarter.

Petrino said Hamilton’s position lines up at numerous spots on the field, and that much of the offense runs through him. He said that’s why someone with Herndon’s experience was moved into the backup role for Hamilton.

“I’ve always thought Javontee had it in him,” Wilson said. “It’s been one of those things we’ve been waiting on for a while to happen, and it happed on the first game day, which is the best day for it to happen as far as I’m concerned.”